Play With Me - Brittany Cournoyer Page 0,71

my neck, and brushing my teeth, I was ready to go.

As I drove to the apartment, I found myself wishing Stellan was with me. He had a critical eye and would look at every nook, cranny, and crevice and ask the questions that’d slip my mind. But he had an early morning appointment to fix a car he was itching to get his hands on, and this was something I needed to do on my own. I was trying to get back on my own two feet, and I couldn’t do that if I was leaning on someone else. Which was way I insisted on keeping up with my payments for the work he’d done on my car. Stellan didn’t hide his surprise when I’d stopped by the shop to make my next payment, but I refused to take advantage of our relationship by expecting free work. Stellan had taken the time to fix my car, and he needed paid for it. Knowing how important it was to me, he accepted the payment without an argument, and nothing was said about it when we got together later that evening.

I pulled into the complex and parked in front of the leasing office. After taking a deep breath and checking my bank account for the hundredth time to make sure I really had enough in there to cover the damage deposit and first month’s rent, I finally exited my car and went inside. The leasing agent, a man a few years older than me who introduced himself as Thomas, was waiting for me. We shook hands, made small talk as he gathered the keys he needed, and then headed toward a building to the right of the office.

“It’s upstairs, but the balcony overlooks the pool, and it’s recently been renovated. All the appliances have been updated, the carpeting replaced, and a fresh coat of paint has been added to all the walls.”

“Sounds great,” I murmured as I followed him up the stairs.

After unlocking the door, he pushed it open and stood back for me to enter. The minute I stepped over the threshold I knew I was home. It was light, spacious, and perfect. On top of that, I felt safe. I didn’t even need the damn tour, but I went ahead and took my time walking through it. Each room was better than the last, and my entire current apartment could fit in the bedroom. I made sure to open cabinets, peek in closets, and I even turned on the faucets and flushed the toilets. Everything was perfect, and as I continued to look around, the decision was made. I knew this was where I needed to move.

I met Thomas back in the living room. He’d stayed behind to take a call while I looked around, and he glanced up from his phone with expectant eyes.

“Well? What did you think?” he asked.

“I’ll take it.”

“Great. Let’s get back to the office and I’ll give you the paperwork you need to sign.”

“Let’s do it.”

The next half hour was filled with Thomas going over the lease, explaining their policies about pets, parking, and other regulations. Since I was on the second floor, I wouldn’t be allowed a grill, but that didn’t bother me since I didn’t even own one, and if I wanted to pay extra, I could lease a covered space. He pointed out the codes to get into the laundry facility and small weight room off the pool. Then I signed and initialed so many lines and boxes that my hand started to cramp.

But when he handed me the keys, I felt secure in my decision, and I couldn’t wait to get moved and settled in. I didn’t hesitate when I gave him my card information to make the payment. Even though I knew it’d suck to see my bank account dwindle down again, it was for a good reason, and I’d saved up before, so I knew I could do it again.

My elation was short-lived, though, when my phone rang the second I got back into my car. One look at the display had me groaning, but I knew I needed to answer. I’d avoided her calls long enough.

“Hi, Mom,” I said when the call connected.

“Hi, Mom?’ That’s really all you have to say to me? You’ve been back home for months and haven’t come by once. I’m actually surprised you took this call.”

I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the seat. I didn’t have time for a lecture.